Decline and Falling Over: A frank and funny memoir on ageing, 'full of Jo's trademark wry wit and wonderful wisdom’ KATHY BURKE - Hardcover

Brand, Jo

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 024182219X ISBN 13: 9780241822197

Publisher: Michael Joseph, 2026

Synopsis

'This book is full of Jo's trademark wry wit and wonderful wisdom’ KATHY BURKE

‘Oh, the joy of unsanctimonious, funny tales of ageing. Jo is always glorious, but I enjoy her all the more for this anti-advice. A real nod to ageing we can all relate to (except me, I’m still way too young)’ MIRANDA HART

'Almost every line made me pee my pants. Not due to age – as she wrongly suggests – but because she’s the funniest woman on earth’ RUBY WAX

‘Lots of hilarious and unwise words from my favourite curmudgeonly she-wolf’ DAWN FRENCH

'A typically hilarious manifesto for the wise and ignored, Jo shows how, when you get knocked down, it’s sometimes best to stay there for a rest’ ALAN DAVIES

‘The fantastically imperfect "what not to do" list for older age. 100% my bible now’ EMMA FREUD

--

Jo Brand is getting on a bit and, to be frank, all this stuff about ageing well and staying active has made her feel rather tired.

From lying unconscious under a surgeon’s knife with your fingers crossed to a jam and mongoose sperm emulsion (alright, Jo made that one up), we are surrounded with hot takes on how to age well.

Safe to say, Jo just can’t be arsed.

This is not a ‘life begins after menopause’ pep talk.

This book will not tell you how to live longer or better. (Sorry.)

Instead, join Jo as she ponders how to age her own way.

Things you can expect: not changing her pants, embracing the utter joy of becoming an ‘invisible’ older woman, a celebration of the endless opportunities afforded by selective deafness.

Completely unscientific and largely unresearched, Decline and Falling Over is a bungled assortment of musings on how to make the most of your shitter second half.

--

‘Life affirming. No one need fear getting older with this advice. Jo Brand should be Minister for Old People! Actually, she should be Prime Minister’ TOM ALLEN

‘Of course it’s funny, of course it’s brilliant. A guidebook on how to grow old and not give a toss. Wonderful stuff’ SARAH MILLICAN

'Incredibly funny and joy-inducing' ISY SUTTIE

About this title

About the Author

Long established as one of the UK’s best-loved comics, Jo Brand is the star and co-writer of Getting On, the BBC’s BAFTA award-winning series set on a hospital’s geriatric ward, which was partly inspired by her earlier career in nursing. Other television credits include hosting Great British Bake Off: Extra Slice (BBC), Taskmaster (Dave), Have I Got News for You (BBC One), Would I Lie to You (BBC One), Jo Brand’s Hot Potatoes (BBC One) and the award-winning Through the Cakehole (Channel 4).
Jo has written several highly acclaimed best-selling books Can’t Stand Up For Sitting Down, Look Back In Hunger, Born Lippy and The More You Ignore Me which was made into a feature film and released in 2018. She also co-wrote and starred in the sitcom Damned on Channel 4.

Edition details

• Publisher: Michael Joseph
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 024182219X
• ISBN 13: 9780241822197
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320